Archery Fair Wels

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

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Frequently asked

Glossary

1

Archery (Bogensport)

The umbrella term used at Bogensportmesse Wels for shooting bow and arrow in target, field and 3D disciplines. In Austria the sport is organised through clubs, most of them affiliated to the national federation, and club stands are a fixture of the fair.

2

Recurve bow

A take-down bow whose limb tips curve away from the archer; the Olympic class. Buyers at the show compare riser length, limb weight, sight and stabiliser combinations rather than a single finished product.

3

Compound bow

A bow with cams and cables that creates let-off, reducing the holding weight at full draw. Exhibitors quote draw-length adjustment ranges, let-off percentage and cam modules, and most keep a test lane for hands-on comparison.

4

Barebow

Recurve class shot without sight, stabiliser or clicker, aimed by string walking or gap shooting. It is the usual entry route for new adult archers and a frequent demo category on the Wels show floor.

5

Longbow and traditional bows

One-piece wooden or laminated bows shot in traditional and 3D classes. Craft bowyers exhibit custom tillered pieces together with matched wooden arrows and leather accessories.

6

Riser

The central handle section of a take-down bow, carrying the sight, arrow rest and stabiliser bushings. Length (typically 23 to 27 inches), material and limb-pocket geometry are the buying criteria.

7

Limbs

The flexible arms of a take-down bow, sold in draw-weight steps and in short, medium and long lengths. Dealers match limb weight to the buyer's draw length rather than selling weight in isolation.

8

Draw weight

The force in pounds needed to reach full draw at a stated draw length, commonly measured at 28 inches. Visitors planning to test bows should arrive knowing their own figure.

9

Draw length

The distance from the nock point to the deepest part of the grip, plus a fixed offset. It sets arrow length and, on compound bows, which cam module is fitted.

10

Brace height

The gap between the string and the deepest part of the grip. A tuning dimension that shifts arrow speed, noise and forgiveness, and a routine check when a bow is restrung at the fair.

11

Tiller

The difference in tension between upper and lower limb, measured at the limb pockets. It is adjusted when limb weight, grip style or shooting style changes.

12

Arrow spine

The stiffness rating of a shaft, expressed as deflection. Spine must match draw weight, arrow length and point weight, which is why accessory stands carry selection charts and spine testers.

13

Spine tester

A bench tool that measures shaft deflection so dealers and club armourers can build matched arrow sets from the same batch.

14

Nock

The slotted plastic or pin fitting at the rear of the arrow that clips onto the string. On traditional bows the term also refers to the grooves in the limb tips.

15

Fletching and vanes

Feathers or plastic vanes glued near the nock to stabilise flight. Indoor and outdoor setups use different profiles, and fletching jigs are a standard accessory line at the show.

16

Arrow rest

The support that carries the arrow through the draw, from simple flipper rests on recurves to drop-away rests on compound bows.

17

Clicker

A spring steel blade that clicks when the arrow tip passes it at full draw, used by recurve archers for draw-length consistency.

18

Sight and aperture

The front sight bar with a pin or ring aperture. Buyers compare extension length, windage and elevation adjustment, and fibre-optic pin visibility for indoor halls.

19

Stabiliser

Rods, weights and dampers fitted to the riser to reduce torque and vibration; long rods for target setups, short bars for hunting and 3D configurations.

20

Release aid

A mechanical trigger, hinge or thumb release used with compound bows instead of finger release. Fit and length adjustment are checked on the test lane.

21

Peep sight

A string-mounted aperture used together with a front sight and release aid on compound bows.

22

Bowstring, serving and wax

Strings are sold as matched sets with centre serving and end loops. Wax and serving thread are routine consumables on dealer tables and a common repeat purchase for clubs.

23

Target face and boss

Paper or foam faces scored in rings, with World Archery 122 cm, 80 cm, 60 cm and 40 cm faces used for different distances, mounted on straw, foam or layered bosses.

24

3D parcours

A course of foam animal targets shot at unmarked distances through terrain. It is the fastest-growing branch of Central European archery and a core demo area at the Wels fair.

25

Field archery

Woodland shooting at marked and unmarked distances over varied ground, run under World Archery and IFAA rule sets with their own class structures.

26

World Archery (WA)

The international governing body, formerly FITA, which sets the target, field and 3D rules and the equipment classes that most European competition bows are built to.

27

IFAA

The International Field Archery Association, which runs field, indoor and bowhunter rounds with divisions for barebow, traditional and compound equipment.

28

Oesterreichischer Bogensportverband

The Austrian archery federation that clubs and competitive shooters register through. Club stands at the fair are the usual first contact for newcomers who want a trial session.

29

Bowyer

A craft bow maker working in wood and laminates. Custom bowyers exhibit at Wels with grips, tillering work and one-off traditional bows.

30

Cresting

Decorating arrow shafts with painted bands and wraps. Custom arrow makers demonstrate the technique and sell matched, crested sets.

31

Youth and beginner set

A low-poundage take-down recurve sold with arrows, arm guard and finger tab as a family entry package, usually the cheapest complete route into club shooting.